Mars food study researchers emerge from experiment

HONOLULU (AP) — Researchers who have spent nearly four months simulating what it’s like to live on Mars are emerging from their experiment on a barren Hawaii lava field.

The NASA-funded study is researching what foods astronauts might eat during a mission to Mars.

The researchers will be emerging from their simulated Martian base Tuesday for the first time without the mock space suits their experiment required whenever they ventured out of the dome on the northern slope of the Big Island’s Mauna Loa.

The University of Hawaii and Cornell University selected six people of various scientific backgrounds to cook meals from a list of dehydrated and shelf-stable ingredients that are not perishable.

Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation Investigator Kim Binsted hopes to present findings at the International Astronautical Congress this year.